Pepakura breakthrough....maybe

KidCas5154

Well-Known Member
So I haven't really tried it myself but I just came upon something that could be a huge time saver for those looking to pepakura. I found these home dye cutting machines that will both print and cut anything you input. What this means is you can upload the pepakura image then this machine will print it then proceed to cut it out with perfect accuracy. The ones I have found that seem to have the most reviews are the

Boss Kut Gazelle which runs around $500
http://www.bosskut.com/gazelle-2.aspx

And the Silhouette Cameo which runs around $300
http://www.silhouetteamerica.com/?page=home

This has a lot of potential for other builds as well. For instance lets say you wanna build a MK VI style arc reactor. You can upload files of the different layers that make up the front and then have them cut out of thin plastic. You could layer them paint them etc and you would have a very professional looking piece. Think about making S.H.I.E.L.D. Patches for cosplays. Or prototyping spiderman eye frame designs. I'm not sure if this has been covered before on here or if anyone has tried this but it seems promising.
 
This has been covered on the fourms before. I went out and bought the cameo, seeing as how it has software that allows it to be used with pepakura for around $15 USD. This thing will save loads of time with pepping, it'll even preferate the cutting lines for you. Unfortunately, it wont print it out like you said, But the software allows you to print alignment marks so that it is mostly automated. The cameo also takes between 4-6 min for one page, but will save your fingers the pain of having to cut out everything by hand. I would recommend investing in it. Also buy additonal blades as well. They only cost only cost $10 USD. I bought 5 spares just incase, and after 100+ sheets, i havent noticed any dulling yet.

Just my two cents :D
 
Are you sure there aren't new models that print and cut? I saw a video tutorial where this lady grabbed an image off the web and uploaded it into the design software, she then proceeded to set the cutting outline as well as set the area to be printed. My understanding is that the device will first print the image then follow back over the outline with the dye cutter to cut it out. Unless I'm missig someting
 
She printed this first then in the sofwtare set all the points for the cuts and ran the printed paper back through for cutting
 
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i also have a cameo absolutley amazing saves time and fingers, it doesn't print though, in the video you posted she would have printed that first on a normal printer then put it through the cameo
 
I also have a Cameo and at the end of the day it's really a nominal amount of time you're talking about to print it separately on your printer and then set it up on the Cameo cutting mat. It'd save a minute or so MAYBE per page? They are wonderful investments though, and if you have the cash to spare I highly suggest purchasing one. Also you can get them on Amazon for $260-$270 I believe.
 
So guys, I'm incredibly interested in getting one, I can't decide between the cameo or boss kut.
The gazelle is currently on special for 375 usd.

How much time does it actually save? I love pep, but the amount of thin curving folds I have torn makes me want something to help!
 
Look into the cameo......I've got one and the thing is GREAT, most of the time. Truth is, it can be a little funny sometimes. I'll start a cut, and it will be just slightly off. I skip that page, and cut the next and it's fine. Then I come back to the page it screwed up, and it will cut perfect. But, it only happens every once in a while. Still worth it, you'll save DAYS of your life not cutting thing yourself. And I don't care what anyone says, you can't cut better than a computer!

Don't know anything about the boss kut, but if I'm not mistaken, cutters that use dyes are useless for pepakura, unless you have a dye for each piece, which you don't.
 
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